Headlines

Economy expands despite strength of franc against euro ©Keystone

Swiss economic growth outpaces expectations

by Malcolm Curtis

September 2, 2010 | 11:03

Figures released by the federal government show Switzerland’s economy continuing its recovery from last year’s recession in the second quarter of 2010, with year-on-year expansion of 3.4 percent. The better than expected results are fueled by strong investment activity and an economist tells Swisster that overall GDP growth for the year could well hit three percent, despite concerns about the record-high franc.

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Science & Tech
	Stanislav Smirnov: Winner of the greatest honour in maths
	September 2, 2010 \| 09:46	by Marcus Berry

After being awarded the Fields Medal in India last week, an honour described as "the Nobel Prize for mathematics", Professor Stanislav Smirnov returns to his post at Geneva University. Swisster talks to...Full story

Society
	Mediation centre battles on in face of financial fraud
	September 1, 2010 \| 12:07	by Malcolm Curtis

The operations of the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue continue unhampered, a spokesman tells Swisster, despite a criminal investigation into the defrauding of 3.8 million francs from the...Full story

Lifestyle
	First ever punk band Suicide get real in Lausanne
	September 1, 2010 \| 11:34	by Michèle Laird

The first band branded as "punk" in the early 70s, Suicide are more alive than ever. Cult artists Alan Vega and Martin Rev give a concert at Lausanne Les Docks on September 4 to mark the end of Vega’s...Full story

Culture
	What's on: Golf, sailing and wine-tasting
	September 1, 2010 \| 09:43	by Marcus Berry

With the wine harvest beginning to kick in around canton Valais, several areas are holding suitable festivals with tasting at the centre of affairs. Amateur exponents of the seven iron and sandwedge can...Full story

Education & Health
	New DG appointed by Geneva International School
	August 31, 2010 \| 12:35	by Michèle Laird

To succeed Nicolas Tate when he retires as director general of the International School of Geneva in 2011, the board has appointed Vicky Tuck, principal for 15 years of top-ranking Cheltenham Ladies’...Full story

Society
	Federal cabinet promotes lower single VAT rate
	August 31, 2010 \| 10:45	by Malcolm Curtis

The value added tax is set to rise in Switzerland next year, with the standard rate jumping to eight from 7.6 percent under a plan approved by voters to subsidize the nation’s disability insurance programme....Full story

Expat-Expo boss weighs up further expansion
As he prepares to open Expat-Expo in Zurich on Sunday, director Ed McGaugh contemplates further expansion of a natinal exhibition series primarily aimed at aiding small to medium English-speaking businesses....

Full storyAugust 31, 2010 | 09:47by Marcus Berry

Celtic warriors cross swords at Swiss archeological site
Wannabe warriors clash during battle reenactments this week-end in La Tène, in canton Neuchâtel, during the first Celtic festival ever to take place at this major archaeological site, which is considered...

Full storyAugust 30, 2010 | 15:17by Tatiana Tissot

WEF extends HQ to meet expansion requirements
In order to meet the needs of its rapid expansion, the World Economic Forum inaugurates an extension that doubles the size of its premises in Geneva. The WEF, which organizes the annual Davos world summit,...

Full storyAugust 30, 2010 | 11:41by Michèle Laird

CERN staff raises warning flag over budget cuts
The head of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) insists that cuts in funding over the next five years will not affect the operation of its flagship Large Hadron Collider project. But...

Full storyAugust 30, 2010 | 11:40by Malcolm Curtis

Federer launches quest for sixth US Open title
As he prepares to play his first US Open match on Monday against unknown Argentine Brian Dabul in New York, Switzerland’s tennis master Roger Federer reflects over the latest phase in his career and...

Full storyAugust 30, 2010 | 10:30by Marcus Berry

Riviera festival opens with London Royal Philharmonic
The 64th edition of the Septembre Musical in Montreux and Vevey, known as a festival for enlightened connoisseurs, gets off to a flying start with four concerts by the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra....

Full storyAugust 27, 2010 | 10:24by Michèle Laird

Importing vehicles among challenges for 'frontaliers'
High prices and a lack of available accommodation lead many people working in Switzerland to live in a neighbouring country, such as France. Swisster journalist Malcolm Curtis does just that, although...

Full storyAugust 27, 2010 | 09:49by Malcolm Curtis

Ruptured glow jewellery raises safety concerns
Luminous wristbands from China, currently available throughout Switzerland and sold or given away to children at public events, contain a caustic liquid. Switzerland’s Toxicological Information Service...

Full storyAugust 27, 2010 | 08:15by Marcus Berry

Cargo plane flies CERN’s space detector to Florida
A jumbo cargo plane from the American military carries a sophisticated device developed by the European Organization for Nuclear Research from Geneva to Florida ahead of its transport into the heavens...

Full storyAugust 26, 2010 | 11:25by Malcolm Curtis

Pianist Kit Armstrong: 'Not your average genius'
Following his brilliant performances at Verbier Festival in July, Swisster catches up with musical phenomenon Kit Armstrong for an exclusive interview. A young man who started maths at the age of two,...

Full storyAugust 26, 2010 | 09:40by Michèle Laird

Swiss 'astro' retreat offers pie in the sky to stargazers
An "astronomical" retreat in the Swiss Alps caters for short vacations in a pristine environment with the opportunity to observe the night sky, learn about constellations and take sophisticated pictures...

Full storyAugust 26, 2010 | 09:07by Marta Falconi

UK regulator slaps record fine on Zurich Insurance
The UK’s financial regulator fines one of the world’s leading insurers a record 3.6 million francs for losing the confidential data of 46,000 customers. Zurich Insurance plc says the information was...

Full storyAugust 25, 2010 | 12:55by Giles Broom

Two injured by acid mailed to Geneva bankers
Cantonal police remain tight-lipped about a case in which two people are injured after packages containing corrosive acid are mailed to private bankers in Geneva. Spokesman Jean-Philippe Brandt confirms...

Full storyAugust 25, 2010 | 11:37by Malcolm Curtis

What's on: Blues, classics and a mustard festival
As summertime begins to draw to a close, we have two blues festivals on the entertainment schedule over the next few days. Circus Aléa and Circus Knie set up the big tops in Ecublens and Geneva, while...

Full storyAugust 25, 2010 | 10:30by Marcus Berry

Flying boat re-designed to break speed record
The Hydroptère sailing team, famous in the world of daredevil water sports, reveals the prototype of a new vessel designed to be the fastest long-haul sailboat in the world. At an unveiling ceremony in...

Full storyAugust 24, 2010 | 09:45by Giles Broom

Power Winterthur’s mat finish seals cup win
In the weekend’s Pickwick Cup final, Power Winterthur take the title at the third time of asking after beating Olten by six wickets at Fronwald. An historic hat-trick for occasional seamer Rana Haliq...

Full storyAugust 24, 2010 | 08:52by Daniel Johnson

United Coffee eyes targetted expansion from Geneva
The biggest seller of certified coffee in Europe is moving its headquarters to Geneva, where it plans to direct targetted expansion particularly in the UK, Spain and France. Per Harkjaer, the CEO of United...

Full storyAugust 24, 2010 | 08:12by Malcolm Curtis

Young Swiss Scrabble players rule the world
You may think Scrabble is a game for older people but a couple of young Swiss are bucking the stereotype. Kévin Méng (16) and Hugo Delafontaine (21) are both fanatics of the word game and win gold medals...

Full storyAugust 24, 2010 | 07:55by Tatiana Tissot